As soon as the words left her mouth, Phoebe's tears began to fall uncontrollably.
It wasn't true—not what she had said. She didn't want him to die. Even if she couldn't forgive him, she would never wish for his death.
“Fine. As you wish,” Alexander said coldly, letting go of her.
He stood up and walked toward the door. But after just a few steps, his tall, solid frame collapsed to the floor.
Curled up on the ground, Phoebe instinctively raised her head at the sound. A flash of white light surged through her mind, and in the next second, she was scrambling toward him in a panic, sobbing.
Kneeling by his side, she shook his body desperately. Her tear-streaked face was unrecognizable.
“Alexander, wake up! Please, wake up! Don't scare me, okay?” she cried.
No matter how much she called his name or shook him, he didn't respond. The blood from his head only flowed more freely. Her trembling fingers pressed agai
The door suddenly swung open from the outside. Phoebe lifted her gaze, her eyes brimming with fleeting hope before it quickly dimmed. How much she wished it was Alexander walking in. How much she longed for him to stand before her, whole and unscathed. But the person who entered was a middle-aged man, unfamiliar to her, though it was clear from his demeanor that he was one of Alexander's subordinates.Her disappointment was momentary, replaced almost instantly by desperate anticipation. Barefoot, she dashed toward him with urgency.“Him... How is he? Please, tell me. I'm begging you. I just need to know if he's okay.”“Miss, you're free to leave now. Gather your belongings, and I'll have a car take you home,” the man said, ignoring her questions and instead delivering his instructions calmly.Leave?“What do you mean?” Phoebe asked, her eyes widening in shock.“You are free now,” he replied.
One Month Later."Phoebe, stop pushing yourself so hard. Come eat something first; you can continue drawing afterward."Alva snatched the pencil from Phoebe's hand and pulled her up, ready to take her out of the studio. "Who studies like you? It's like your life depends on it. You even forget to eat!""Alva, I'm not hungry. Let me finish this drawing first."Phoebe smiled and reached for her pencil, but Alva quickly hid it behind her back, refusing to give it back. She insisted Phoebe eat with her instead. For a month now, her friend had been working too hard. Study required balance, not self-torture. Sitting in one spot all day without moving wasn't learning—it was punishing oneself. If Phoebe didn't get up soon, she'd rust."No way. Finish your meal first, and then you can draw again,"Alva said firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation."But Alva, I'm almost done!"Phoebe glanced longingly at her unfinished drawing.
"Miss, you come here every day to buy a newspaper, but you barely look through it. Are you searching for some important news?" the newspaper vendor asked with a friendly smile. Every day, this young lady would buy a paper, flip through a few pages, and leave with a disappointed expression. This had become her routine."I..." Lost in thought, she hesitated. What could she say? She was searching for news about Alexander. Any mention of him, no matter how small, would suffice."Do you have any fashion magazines?""Of course! What kind are you looking for?" The vendor gestured toward the stack of magazines on the table."I'd like an entertainment magazine," she said, clinging to a sliver of hope. She had often seen him mentioned in such magazines before. Perhaps he would appear in one of them again. She just hadn't looked hard enough."Here, try this one. It's full of gossip—rich people, celebrities, their private lives, and whatnot.""I'll take it," she said, handing over the money.On h
After bidding Alva goodbye, Phoebe nearly sprinted out of the school. Instead of taking the bus, she hailed a taxi. Taking a bus would be too slow, and a taxi would get her there much faster. Normally, she would never spend the extra money, but today, all she wanted was to see him as quickly as possible.However, once inside the taxi, her courage began to waver. A sense of fear crept over her, though she couldn't quite pinpoint what she was afraid of. She kept telling herself she couldn't back down, refusing to allow herself to retreat.When the taxi pulled up in front of the apartment complex, she realized she didn't have an access card. The security guard stopped her at the gate, and no matter how much she pleaded, he refused to let her in. Fortunately, a shift change brought a new set of guards, and one of them recognized her from a previous visit, allowing her to enter.As the villa came into view, Phoebe's steps grew heavier, as if her legs had turned to lead. It was incredibly d
Laura"Little thing, I've been chasing you for so long, aren't you even touched?" Wright teased, his tone playful yet carrying a hint of frustration. Staring at the ice-cold beauty before him, he felt utterly defeated. It was the first time he had spent so long chasing a girl without success. Initially, he thought it was just a game, but to his surprise, he had genuinely fallen for her. There was no denying it now—he was hopelessly in love.Laura kept her head down, walking forward without sparing him a glance. Despite over a month of his persistent pursuit, she remained indifferent. He was so annoying, showing up every day to bother her, impossible to avoid or chase away."What's so urgent at home that you rush back every day? How about I take you on a romantic date?" Wright leaned closer, flashing a charming smile that caused the nearby girls to look on enviously. Yet Laura didn't even spare him a glance.Remaining silent, she kept walking with her usual downcast gaze.Wright felt a
After walking a good distance, Laura finally glanced back. Seeing that Wright hadn't followed them, her furrowed brows relaxed slightly."Phoebe, don't listen to his nonsense.""What nonsense?" Phoebe pretended not to understand. So, she was in a relationship already. Watching them earlier, they looked so perfect together—a golden couple that was truly pleasing to the eye. Melissa was so beautiful, and it wasn't surprising that such a handsome guy liked her."We...we're not." Laura's cheeks were so hot they could almost cook an egg."Laura, it's okay to have a boyfriend. I think you two are a great match." Phoebe assumed Laura was just shy and smiled sweetly at her. Although she was still young and inexperienced in these matters, having someone who cared for Laura seemed like a good thing. However, Phoebe couldn't help but worry—Wright had a reputation for being a flirt. Was he truly sincere about Laura?"No, it's not like that. I don't like him. I just...I just feel like being liked
"I've actually thought about cutting it off," Laura said with a hint of frustration."Why?" Phoebe asked, surprised."I'm not good at styling my hair, and it's really inconvenient when I'm working.""Has no one taught you how to tie it up?" That explained why Laura always let her hair down. But with her hair loose, she looked stunning, like an angel.Laura shook her head."I'll teach you tomorrow morning," Phoebe said with a warm smile. They kept drying Laura's hair until it was no longer damp. Only then did they crawl into the bed, leaning against the headboard to sleep."Are you sure it's not too cramped?" Laura shifted to the edge of the bed. Her bed was small, and she worried Phoebe might feel uncomfortable. Laura had initially planned to sleep on the floor, but Phoebe had refused."It's not cramped at all," Phoebe replied, pulling Laura back closer. What a thoughtful girl, thoughtful enough to make one's heart ache."Can I...can I hold you while I sleep?" Laura asked shyly, her v
Laura's eyes widened in shock at the scene before her. Frozen in the posture she had assumed when she screamed, her voice trembled as she began, "You…" She wanted to ask him what he was doing to Phoebe, but fear stilled her tongue. Deep down, Laura was terrified of Gavin, unwilling to provoke him with even a simple question. She worried her inquiry might anger him.Her gaze shifted to Phoebe, lying naked on the couch. Watching her brother's actions, Laura's heart trembled, her mind spinning in confusion and embarrassment. The sight was unsettling, evoking an inexplicable sense of shame. Memories flashed in her mind—Gavin had once treated her in a similar way.Gavin glanced at Laura, then back at the woman beneath him. His body stiffened instantly, and he pulled away, lips parting as if to speak. Before he could utter a word—Smack.The sound of a resounding slap echoed through the air.Phoebe glared at him with undisguised disgust, her trembling body curling into itself as she hugged h
Phoebe lay still, listening to the fading sound of footsteps outside her door. It felt like someone had ripped open her chest. He actually left just like that?Tears soaked half her pillow. She stared into the darkness until dawn. In the mirror, her face was pale, with dark shadows under her eyes. Just as her fingers brushed the doorknob, she felt it—his presence on the other side.Alexander was still wearing yesterday's wrinkled dress shirt. His bloodshot eyes said everything: he hadn't slept a minute. He'd been sitting outside her door all night."Phoebe..." His voice was barely more than a rasp.She recoiled as if burned, brushing past him with her head down—but he grabbed her wrist. His palm was so warm it made her tremble."Let go," she said, her voice like ice.Instead, he pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her head. "What will it take for you to forgive me?"Phoebe fought to break free, her nails leaving red streaks on his arm. "Don't pretend," she choked out, tears
After hanging up, Phoebe immediately turned off her phone. She sniffled, her nose sore from holding back tears. As she looked at her two sleepy children nestled in her arms, her eyes turned red again. Biting her lower lip, she forced down the wave of emotions and held them a little tighter."We're going home." Her voice was hoarse.Jeremy and Amy lifted their heads sleepily and shook them in unison."Mommy, aren't we waiting for Uncle?""No." Phoebe avoided their hopeful eyes.The children's shoulders slumped as they looked down."But Uncle promised to take us out for ice cream..." Jeremy mumbled.A cold wind swept across the empty office building entrance. Phoebe looked at their disappointed little faces, her chest tightening."What do you want to eat? Mommy will make it when we get home.""I'm not hungry," Amy said, burying her face in Phoebe's neck."Me neither," Jeremy echoed, though he kept glancing around. "Maybe Uncle's on his way. Can we wait just five more minutes?"Phoebe's
The office clock struck five. For the third time, Phoebe glanced down the empty hallway.She clutched her phone, scrolling through her contacts again and again. Five missed calls, no one in the office, and his phone still lying quietly in the drawer—where on earth had he gone?Her reflection in the glass window revealed a furrowed brow. They had clearly agreed to leave at four. Even if something urgent came up, he should've at least found a way to let her know.When the six o'clock dismissal bell rang, Phoebe finally grabbed her bag. In the rearview mirror, the neon sign of the kindergarten glowed vividly against the twilight.The car phone suddenly rang. The unfamiliar number made her hand tremble slightly."Phoebe."That familiar voice made her heart settle—only to twist a moment later. "You're at the hospital? Are you hurt?""It's Hermosa. Acute appendicitis,"he said, hospital announcements echoing faintly in the
The morning passed in a slow, steady rhythm, the hours slipping by almost unnoticed.By the time Phoebe returned to the office after lunch, the clock on the wall pointed to half past two.Alexander's lingering kiss still burned on her lips, leaving her ears warm and flushed. She instinctively smoothed her slightly tousled hair, and when her fingers brushed against her heated earlobe, a soft smile tugged at her lips.In the break room, the moment the hot water hit the tea leaves, a delicate fragrance wafted through the air.Phoebe cupped the warm mug in her hands, and through the rising steam, she could almost see him again—his fingers laced tightly with hers, confidently leading her through the office in full view of everyone.He never hid their relationship. That unabashed affection of his… it made even her tea taste sweet.When only a few unfurled leaves remained at the bottom of her cup, Phoebe rubbed her slightly sore eyes.
The next morning."Mom, are we going to Grandma and Grandpa's tonight?" Amy clung to the edge of the table, her eyes sparkling with excitement.Phoebe nearly dropped the plate in her hand. "Hmm?" She was sure she hadn't said anything about that to the kids."Uncle said so," Amy replied confidently, swinging her legs under the chair.Phoebe glanced out the window at the man polishing the car in the driveway. Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the plate. She'd thought he was just talking offhandedly—but he actually meant it? A wave of warmth rose in her chest, only to be washed over by a ripple of unease. Would her parents even be friendly to him? Her mother hadn't said much during their last phone call, but the sigh she'd heard through the receiver still echoed in her ears."Mom?" Amy tugged at her sleeve.Phoebe crouched down and gently smoothed her daughter's crooked collar. "Of course we're going.""Yay!" Jeremy jumped up from his chair with a loud clatter of utensils. "I ha
Alexander's deep voice rumbled against her ear, and Phoebe could no longer hold back the tears welling in her eyes. Warm drops slid down her cheeks as she stood on tiptoe and clung tightly to his neck, burying her tear-streaked face into the crook of his shoulder. Her slender shoulders trembled uncontrollably.Those three words were far too heavy—so heavy, they made her chest ache.He immediately wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back with the flat of his palm. Suddenly, Phoebe clenched her fists and began pounding his chest, each hit harder than the last."You bastard..." she sobbed into his shoulder. "You've made me cry so many times..."Yet even so, hearing his confession now, all those scars seemed to vanish into insignificance. Love was ridiculous like that—no matter how deeply wounded, the heart still surrendered without hesitation."Say it again," she whispered, lifting her tear-soaked face, her nose bright red.Alexander chuckled lowly and brushed her damp cheek
"Mom, you don't have a boyfriend, and Uncle is such a good guy. Can't he be your boyfriend? Can't he be our dad?""Yeah, Mom, just think about it!"Phoebe kept her expression neutral. This wasn't something that could be decided so easily.She wasn't about to let him off that easily. Especially after what Hermosa said earlier… What exactly did she mean by those words? And that look of surprise on her face—what was that about?Every time she thought about it, a heavy pressure settled on her chest. It felt like they were hiding something from her.She told herself not to overthink it. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop the wild guesses running through her mind.Maybe... maybe it was time to ask.And he owed her a real explanation."Mom?"Her thoughts snapped back to the present. The kids were looking up at her with hopeful eyes. They really cared about her love life, it seemed. And clearly, they liked Alexander a lot.Of course she knew what they were trying to do. But a
Phoebe's fingertips trembled slightly as she stared blankly at Hermosa's pale face. That name always pricked at her memory like a needle—Melissa's curly hair, the unopened photo frame in Alexander's study—all flashing before her eyes now."What a coincidence. Running into you here," Hermosa said, her face still drained of color.Phoebe forced a smile. "Yeah, what a... coincidence."She quickly added, "What are you doing here?""My stomach was acting up, so I came to get something for it. You?""Oh, me? I..." Phoebe's throat tightened. Instinctively, she crushed the box of birth control pills hidden behind her back. She only realized where Hermosa's gaze had landed when it was too late. Embarrassed, she moved her hand behind her again. "I was just buying... medicine."As Hermosa turned to leave, the hem of her trench coat brushed past Phoebe's wrist, sending a chill straight to her bones. Hermosa suddenly paused. Under the harsh fluorescent lights, her profile looked almost transparent
When Alexander stepped into the bathroom, he found Phoebe resting peacefully in the bathtub, eyes closed. A soft flush still lingered on her cheeks, a trace of pleasure not yet fully faded. Her face looked like a ripe peach, pink and dewy, waiting to be picked.He walked over quietly. She must have heard him—her thick lashes fluttered as if she wanted to open her eyes. But she was too exhausted, not even a finger moved.Alexander chuckled softly, gazing at her delicate face. He'd really worn her out today.He reached down and gently stroked her silky cheek. He'd intended to call her for dinner, but looking at her now, sleep seemed more fitting.Scooping her out of the water, her smooth skin against him made his body stir again—but he held himself back.He dried her carefully, then laid her on the bed. The marks he'd left on her body filled him with a certain pride, but as he inspected the swollen red tenderness between her thighs, a pang of guilt twisted in his chest. He'd been a litt